Tag Archives: Terrorism

One year and nine months after Omar Mateen opened fire inside a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 and wounding dozens, his widow will stand trial on federal terrorism charges. Noor Salman, 31, is charged with aiding and abetting Mateen in his attempt to provide material support to a terrorist organization, and obstruction of justice. The trial is being held in downtown Orlando at the Middle District of Florida courthouse, just two miles from Pulse nightclub, where the crime occurred.

Countering China and Russia is a bigger focus for US national security than defeating terrorism, the American administration announced yesterday. Donald Trump’s new national defence strategy named “inter-state strategic competition” as its primary concern rather than jihadist attacks. It marks a tipping point after almost two decades when the US has focussed on countering terrorism following the September 11 attacks. China, Russia, North Korea and Iran were all mentioned as powers that were threatening the international order. The strategy signals a return of a Cold War-style mentality in American foreign policy that will focus on countering rival great powers. James Mattis, US Secretary of Defense Credit: EPA/WALLACE WOON James Mattis, the US defence secretary, explained the rationale behind the 11-page national defence strategy in a speech on Friday. “We will to continue to prosecute the campaign against terrorists that we’re engaged in today, but great-power competition – not terrorism – is now the primary focus of US national security,” he said. Mr Mattis added: "To those who would threaten America's experiment in democracy: they must know if you challenge us, it will be your longest and worst day." The document itself included a similar message: “Inter-state strategic competition, not terrorism, is now the primary concern in US national security.” It called out threats posed by rival nations. “China is a strategic competitor using predatory economics to intimidate its neighbours while militarising features in the South China Sea,” it read. US President Donald Trump, right, and Russia's President Vladimir Credit: APEC-SUMMIT “Russia has violated the borders of nearby nations and pursues veto power over the economic, diplomatic, and security decisions of its neighbours. “As well, North Korea’s outlaw actions and reckless rhetoric continue despite United Nation’s censure and sanctions. "Iran continues to sow violence and remains the most significant challenge to Middle East stability.” John McCain, the Republican senator of Arizona, welcomed the strategy, saying: “It gets the big decisions right, prioritises the threats we face, and offers clear guidance for making tough choices.” Mr Mattis also called on Democrats to agree new funding ahead of a midnight Friday deadline, warning that the military would suffer if they blocked budget proposals. Appealing to Congress, he said: "No strategy can survive without predictable funding. As hard as the last 16 years have been, no enemy has harmed the US military more than defence spending caps and sequestration." Mr Trump cancelled his trip to Florida on Friday in an attempt to help avoid a government shutdown as Republicans piled pressure on their political opponents. The US president was due to fly to his Mar-a-Lago resort but stayed in Washington as scrambled negotiations played out behind the scenes. A fierce blame game erupted in the American capital as political rivals pointed the finger at each other over who was at fault. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader of the Senate, accused Democrats of being unpatriotic by threatening to block a funding extension. “The American people, the citizens who actually elected us, will be watching," he said. "They will see which senators make the patriotic decision, stand up for the American people and vote to continue government funding." Chuck Schumer, the most senior Democrat in the Senate, noted that Mr Trump once said that America could use “a good shutdown”.

WASHINGTON ― An attorney for a neo-Nazi facing federal terrorism charges for trying to commandeer an Amtrak train said Tuesday that the case against his client had been “blown significantly out of proportion.”

Redesignating Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism is a political act, a declaration that the DPRK is on Washington’s naughty list. President Donald Trump demonstrated his contempt for the law in naming North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.

President Donald Trump and his White House are using the Tuesday terrorist attack in New York City to push their goal of cutting legal immigration by misleading the public about the diversity visa lottery system.

Saudi King Salman, receiving dignitaries attending the annual Muslim haj pilgrimage, said on Saturday the kingdom had made progress in eradicating terrorism aimed at attacking its holy sites, state news agency SPA reported. Saudi Arabia, which stakes its reputation on its guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites and organizing the haj, has been hit by bombings in recent years and uncovered plots to carry out attacks in Mecca. “The limbs of terrorism have sought to harm the holy cities, paying no attention to their sanctity,” SPA quoted King Salman as telling foreign dignitaries at a reception he held in Mecca, where more than 2 million pilgrims are performing haj.